Are you changing your hair color at home or in the salon? Then you have probably come across hair developers or oxidizing creams. These creamy solutions are mixed with hair dye to lift color and help pigments penetrate better. Choosing the right one can be tricky, especially with options like 20, 30, or 40 volume and brands that all claim to give the best results. Use the wrong type, and you could end up with patchy color or damaged strands!
Whether you are lightening virgin black hair or covering stubborn grays, finding the best hair developer is key. In this guide, we will help you understand developer volumes, how to use them properly, and which options are worth adding to your cart on Lazada or Shopee.
Quick List - Top Hair Developers
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When you color or bleach your hair, the results would not be possible without a hair developer working behind the scenes. A hair developer is a creamy solution that activates the hair dye or bleach, allowing the color to properly stick and show up on your strands. It contains hydrogen peroxide, which helps open the hair cuticle so the color can go deep into the hair shaft.
In short, hair developers are essential for lifting your hair color, whether you are going lighter, covering grays, or going for a bold new look. The higher the volume, the stronger the lift, so choosing the right one matters.
With so many volumes and formulations available, picking the right hair developer can feel overwhelming. Here’s what to look out for to get the best results.
Not all developers work the same, and the volume you choose can make or break your hair color. Hair developers come in different strengths, and each one has a specific use depending on your goal, whether it is going lighter, covering gray, or simply toning. Knowing the difference helps prevent damage and ensures you get the color result you are aiming for.
If you are not looking to lighten your hair, 10 volume is the gentlest option. It is often used for depositing color or slightly darkening natural hair. This is great for gloss treatments, root toning, or adding depth to already-colored hair without lifting the base color.
It also works well with demi-permanent dyes (or cellophanes as most commonly referred to in most salons), which do not require a strong chemical reaction. For Filipinas who want a low-maintenance refresh or to enhance their natural shade, a 10 volume developer is the safest, least damaging choice.
This is the most commonly used developer for good reason. 20 volume is strong enough to open the hair cuticle and lift your base color by 1 to 2 levels. It is perfect for those who want to cover gray hairs or switch to a slightly lighter or warmer tone.
If you are using a permanent hair dye, this is usually the go-to developer. Many boxed hair colors in the Philippines are formulated for use with 20 volume, making it ideal for first-time colorists doing DIY jobs at home.
Going from black or dark brown to a noticeably lighter shade? 30 volume may be what you need. It has a stronger lifting ability, helping you go up to 3 levels lighter when used with permanent hair dye or bleach.
This is commonly used in balayage or highlighting techniques. However, it is more potent, so be cautious. It can dry out the hair if left on too long or if your hair is already damaged. Use it with proper aftercare products to maintain healthy, vibrant results.
Reserved for more dramatic transformations, 40 volume developer is used mainly with high-lift color formulas or bleach. It lifts up to 4 levels or more, which is helpful for pre-lightening virgin black hair or achieving blonde results.
That said, it is quite harsh and should be handled with care. It is best for experienced users or professional stylists. If you are planning to bleach your hair at home, always do a strand test and follow the timing instructions strictly to avoid burning your scalp or breaking your hair.
There is a reason most hair color kits come with cream developers. Cream-based developers have a thicker consistency, which makes them easier to mix with dye and apply evenly. They also help the formula cling better to your strands, giving more controlled results.
Whether you are working with foils, doing a root touch-up, or applying bleach at home, a cream developer is less messy than liquid versions. They are ideal for beginners and those doing DIY hair color in humid Philippine bathrooms with limited space.
Don’t just rely on TikTok or YouTube tutorials. Always read the label to know exactly what developer volume you are getting and how it should be used. Most products indicate whether it is 10, 20, 30, or 40 volume, along with the recommended mixing ratio (commonly 1:1 or 1:2 with hair dye or bleach).
Following these guidelines ensures even coloring and avoids overprocessing. Some brands even have developer-dye pairings, so it is worth checking if your chosen brand recommends a specific match. Look for clear, beginner-friendly instructions, especially if you are new to hair coloring.
It pays to be gentle on your scalp, especially if you color your hair regularly. Some developers contain extra ammonia or strong perfumes that can irritate sensitive skin or cause itchiness during application. Others include ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can strip moisture and lead to dryness.
Try to choose low-ammonia or fragrance-free formulas if you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to allergies. In online reviews on Lazada and Shopee, many users mention that these formulas made their DIY sessions more comfortable and less itchy.
When it comes to hair chemicals, quality matters. Trusted brands have more consistent formulations, clearer instructions, and undergo safety testing. This helps you avoid issues like uneven coloring or unexpected reactions that can damage your hair or scalp.
Brands like Wella Professionals and L'Oréal are widely used in salons and available online through e-commerce platforms. They are known for stable formulations and compatibility with many popular hair dyes. Choosing well-reviewed brands gives you peace of mind, especially when coloring your hair at home.
Hair developers come in different sizes depending on how often you color your hair. If you are doing a one-time root retouch or DIY bleach job, go for sachets or small 100 ml bottles. These are affordable, easy to store, and less likely to go to waste.
For professionals or those who color their hair regularly, larger 1000 ml bottles offer better value. Many salon owners in the Philippines buy these in bulk, especially when using bleach or high-lift colors for multiple clients. Just make sure to reseal them properly to keep the product fresh.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume Strength | Peroxide Concentration | Formulation | Mixing Ratio | Free from Extra Ammonia | Free from Strong Fragnances | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Semon Oxidizing Emulsion Cream | ![]() | Consistent Hair Color Activation for Professional Results | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | unknown | unknown | unknown | 1000 ml | |
2 | Goldmon Spa Developer Cream | ![]() | Reliable Color Development for Every Hair Type | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching | unknown | unknown | 1000 ml | |
3 | Ashley Shine Bio-Organic Oxidizing Cream | ![]() | Gentle Hair Coloring Solution With Herbal Formula | Volume 10、Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 3%、6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching | 1000 ml | |||
4 | DKC Matrix Oxydant Cream | ![]() | Flexible Hair Developer for Creative Coloring | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color | 1000 ml | |||
5 | Bremod Performance Premium Series Oxidant Cream | ![]() | Gentle Color Developer for Salon-Quality Results | Volume 10、Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 3%、6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | unknown | 100 ml | |||
6 | Bremod Performance Hair Color Oxidizing Cream | ![]() | Rich Oxygen Boost for Vibrant Hair Results | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color | 100 ml | |||
7 | SORA Oxidizing Emulsion Cream | ![]() | Salon-Ready Oxidizer With Smooth Application | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | unknown | unknown | unknown | 1000 ml | |
8 | Fusion Oxidizing Developer Cream | ![]() | Gentle Scented Cream for Vibrant Hair Color | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color | unknown | 1000 ml | ||
9 | Bob Keratin Oxidizing Emulsion Cream | ![]() | Professional Hair Color Lift With Keratin Care | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 | 6%、9%、12% | Cream-Based | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching | unknown | 1000 ml | ||
10 | MONEA Oxidizing Solution 12% | ![]() | Effective Home Bleaching in a Handy Size | Volume 40 | 12% | Cream-Based | 1:2 for Hair Bleaching | 60 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | unknown |
Free from Extra Ammonia | unknown |
Free from Strong Fragnances | unknown |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching |
Free from Extra Ammonia | unknown |
Free from Strong Fragnances | unknown |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 10、Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 3%、6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching |
Free from Extra Ammonia | |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color |
Free from Extra Ammonia | |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 10、Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 3%、6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | unknown |
Free from Extra Ammonia | |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 100 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color |
Free from Extra Ammonia | |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 100 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | unknown |
Free from Extra Ammonia | unknown |
Free from Strong Fragnances | unknown |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color |
Free from Extra Ammonia | unknown |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 20、Volume 30、Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 6%、9%、12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:1 for Hair Color、1:2 for Hair Bleaching |
Free from Extra Ammonia | unknown |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 1000 ml |
Volume Strength | Volume 40 |
---|---|
Peroxide Concentration | 12% |
Formulation | Cream-Based |
Mixing Ratio | 1:2 for Hair Bleaching |
Free from Extra Ammonia | |
Free from Strong Fragnances | |
Net Weight | 60 ml |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Semon|Oxidizing Emulsion Cream
No. 2: Goldmon Spa |Developer Cream
No. 3: Ashley Shine|Bio-Organic Oxidizing Cream
No. 4: DKC|Matrix Oxydant Cream
No. 5: Bremod Performance |Premium Series Oxidant Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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